Send-off celebration to be held Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m

This Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. a hamburger feed and shin- dig will be held as a farewell send-off for talented local saxophonist Mike Gill at the Legion.

Gill, who is a graduate of Yellow Medicine East and holds a music degree from the University of Minnesota, is preparing to venture to California where he has been asked to play saxophone with a Johnny Cash tribute band at Folsom Prison.

By Scott TedrickNews Editor

This Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. a hamburger feed and shin- dig will be held as a farewell send-off for talented local saxophonist Mike Gill at the Legion.

Gill, who is a graduate of Yellow Medicine East and holds a music degree from the University of Minnesota, is preparing to venture to California where he has been asked to play saxophone with a Johnny Cash tribute band at Folsom Prison.

Locals ought to remember the tribute band, “The Walking Phoenixes,” from their visit to the area this summer. Back in late July, filmmaker and Walking Phoenixes frontman, Drewin Young, arrived in Granite Falls to obtain footage for a documentary about veterans after being invited by Yellow Medicine County Veterans Service Officer Michelle Gatz. Young not only brought his camera but also his band members, who played gigs at Prairie’s Edge Casino and in Marshall.

Prior to their arrival a few locals, Gill and vocalist Dawn Dann, were rounded up to perform alongside the band for certain numbers.

From this opportunity Gill made an impression to such a degree that he was asked to accompany the band with his sax on their next album and when they play Folsom Prison on January 13––the exact day Johnny Cash played the prison 45 years ago.

This Saturday’s hamburger feed, send-off celebration is a free will donation. Originally, donations were going to go to Gill to provide him with some “walk around” cash, but at Gill’s request all donations will go to support local veterans.